Golden girl Salpeter wins Euro crown
ATHLETICS KENYAN-BORN athlete Lonah Salpeter, 29, took gold for Israel in the women’s European 10,000m Cup at Parliament Hill.
The race was incorporated into the Highgate Night of 10,000m PBs, and also served as the principal GB selection race for the European Championships later this year.
Salpeter, who moved to Israel 10 years ago and worked as a nanny, dominated the 25-lap race from start to finish. Taking up position immediately behind the designated pacemaker, she moved to the front just before halfway.
Salpeter quickly established a lead of 20 to 30 metres, then gradually extended it to finish 10 seconds clear of Ancuta Bobocel of Romania. Her winning time of 31:33.03 improved by 6.6 seconds the Israeli record that she set three weeks previously.
“This meeting was so nice,” said Salpeter. “It’s the first time I have run with a crowd where they come so close to the inside lanes of the track. “The track felt shorter because they were so close.”
She continued: “I am now a full-time athlete. My next race is probably a 15km in Valencia and I am aiming for the 5,000m and 10,000m at the European Championships.” In the men’s race, also serving as the European 10,000m Cup, the three-strong Israeli contingent placed fifth in the team event. Their top individual performer was Girmaw Amare who placed ninth in 28:15.41.